Norwegian Charolais and Limousin breeders are looking to Canada for new genetics.
“We are here for the poll,” said Gustav Steinvik, chair of the Limousin breed improvement committee.
He and Erling Gresseth, president of the Norwegian Charolais Association, both made their first trip to Regina and Canadian Western Agribition to take a look at what’s available.
Gresseth said he was impressed.
“They know what they are doing over here,” he said.
Read Also
Land crash warning rejected
A technical analyst believes that Saskatchewan land values could be due for a correction, but land owners and FCC say supply/demand fundamentals drive land prices – not mathematical models
Charolais were first imported to Norway from France in 1962. The number of purebreds is now about 4,000 and represents the largest of the purebred herds in Norway.
Gresseth said Norwegian breeders have bought Canadian genetics, mostly embryos, over the last six years. Live animals aren’t allowed to enter the country.
“Health regulations mean we have to make a special deal with everyone,” he explained, referring to private sales.
The desire for polled cattle comes at least partly from animal welfare groups concerned about the damage horned cattle can do to other animals.
Steinvik said Norway has some polled Limousin genetics. Breeders have imported semen and embryos for the past five years.
However, only red Limousin are allowed in Norway, which limits his purchases at a place like Agribition where black Limousin animals are common.
The colour is the main difference between animals in his country and Canada, Steinvik said.
There are fewer than 2,000 registered Limousin in Norway; the breed was first imported in 1992.
“There are lots of Hereford and Angus, too,” Steinvik said. “But the Limousin are coming along.”
International guests from Ireland, Argentina, Sudan, Scotland and others were touring the show throughout the week.
